Bishops return controversial PCSO vehicles

Archbishop Orlando Quevedo of the Archdiocese of Cotabato (left) issues a statement beside Archbishop Romulo Valles of the Zamboanga Social Action Apostolate at the Senate blue ribbon committee’s third public hearing on July 13, 2011 on the alleged PCSO fund mess involving the purchase of vehicles for the bishops by the PCSO using its charity funds as approved by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. LYN RILLON

MANILA, Philippines – The vehicles that sparked controversy in the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office will be returned, Archbishop Orlando Quevedo of the Archdiocese of Cotabato told the Senate Wednesday at the resumption of the investigation into the alleged anomalous PCSO funds.

“Regardless of whether they are lawful or unlawful, constitutional or unconstitutional, the vehicles in Mindanao will be returned to the authorized PCSO officials. The vehicles in Luzon are outside the Senate for immediate turnover to the PCSO authorities,” Quevedo said.

Quevedo and the other clergy are facing the Senate for the first time since the controversy over the PCSO purchase of vehicles for the bishops broke out.

Reading from a statement by Tandag Bishop Nereo Odchimar, chairman of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), Quevedo said the bishops were sorry for causing confusion “because of the apparent inconsistency of our actions.”

At the same time, Quevedo said the bishops appealed to the faithful to “be slow in judgement and conscientiously seek the whole truth behind the controversy.”

The vehicles that the bishops returned to PCSO after the Senate investigation that looked into the fund mess at the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, which included its alleged purchase of SUVs for the clergy. The bishops denied that they were given Pajeros as reported in media. INQUIRER PHOTO/RAFFY LERMA

Quevedo said the bishops were “ready to accept responsibility for their action and ready to face the consequences.”

Quevedo stressed that the bishops’ action was done “without malice” and “out of a sincere desire to help their people.”

Quevedo said the bishops have expressed readiness “to do everything necessary to heal this wound so that we can all move forward.”

PCSO chairman Margarita Juico apologizes on July 13, 2011 before the Senate blue ribbon committee investigating the PCSO fund mess for failing to correct reports that the bishops were given Pajeros. LYN RILLON

He said that from here on, they would “examine our collaboration with government agencies and ensure that pastoral sensibilities are respected and the highest ethical standards observed.”

“We will examine our vocation and commit a long journey to personal and social transformation,” Quevedo added as he appealed to the public to “walk with us”.

First posted 10:21 am | Wednesday, July 13th, 2011